UFOs, bugs, camping and relaxing on the Southward Migration

If you look closely you will see a black ring in the sky.  A UFO?  We think it must be a gas leak or carbon in the sky above the oil fracking area in Canada?? Ideas??

Our car camping set up to stay dry in BC.

One dog can deal with the bugs better than the other!

Trees with leaves and after the tundra what a nice break.

Our friend   . . .

We flew out of the village and into Anchorage for a few days of running around before starting our 8 day drive to Montana.  Our reverse migration trip went well.  I think the biggest difference from last year to this year was the general temperatures we encountered.

Last year’s drive through the Yukon the lakes were still ice covered.  This year those same lakes had people swimming in them.  The Yukon was dry with forest fires already burning.  Northern BC had fires and extremely dry weather as well.  Central BC and south, we saw more rain and far more snow in the mountains from the ice fields to the border.

I jokingly call this my BC retirement village!  This Powder King Ski area and I just love the look of this remote ski mecca!

Jiffy Pop popcorn is just fun to have and once you learn the right technique it always comes out great over a fire.

Yum!

The deal is a leather glove and vice grips!

Mount Robson such a stellar peak!

Hot Spring:

We stopped in Miette Hot Spring just outside of Japser, Alberta for an over night in one of their cute cabins.  We were able to get in two great soaks while looking at the towering peaks.  Like all older cabins, they tend to be a bit dark inside but other than that the cabin we stayed in was cute and fun to relax in after days of camping.

Cute little cabin at Miette

I love this little door,

a small wonderful door to

the inside wood box for

a wonderful fire!

Columbia Ice Fields: 

This part of our trip we only do on the way south as there is less traffic and tourist.  We stayed at the campground that I used when I was ice climbing long ago in the 80s.  I have a special attachment to this little rustic campground.

Over all our drive was great with the added bonus of slowing down and relaxing in each others company with the girls.

Setting up camp in the Ice Fields

Socks with PDS Sport weight yarn

I am always happy in a tent.

Knitting away with a great fire . . . bliss!

I am always drawn to lichen.

Ice Fields

My Canadian Friends

Now we are home and just loving life . . . down south for a bit!

No bugs

Grass, flowers, soil, warm spring temps

A nice variety of flowers from Columbia Falls Nursery.

Time to fire up the grill

Morning bike rides on my favorite bike trails in and around Whitefish.  This is one of my favorite bridges on Whitefish Trails.

Bridge through the trees with early morning light

2,376 Miles The Reverse Migration

The sea ice I said good by to on May 21st!  Yahooo let the migration begin!

If you are a smoker this is your lovely smoking area outside the waiting room in Unalakleet. 

Once the school year is done, we head south to a land full of green trees, colorful flowers, lakes, mountains, family and friends.  This year we drove back down and had a great trip. The drive from Anchorage to Whitefish is 2,376 miles The driving overall was easy and relaxing, the camping was great with out many campers, and the four hot springs we visited were very relaxing. The drive took us 9 days and we obviously were not in a hurry we aim for about 300-350 miles a day.  Traveling with "The Girls" we need to stop and let them stretch out their legs as well.

"The Girls" traveling in the luxury of the back seat.

A note on camping since we are still tent campers:  in several camp grounds hardly anyone is outside next to their fire pits.  They are in their RVs.  So my question is this:  Is there Wii camping?  You know you split wood, make a fire, run from smoke, swat bugs, run to the outhouse, set up your tent . . . a sad statement I think.  To go camping and then spend all your time in your RV!  It makes for nice quiet camping for us tent folks!

Camping at the Columbia Ice Fields an area I really love full of long ago climbing memories.

Our tent which we love is made by Mountian HardWear.  Our first new tent in about 15 years.

That sign says "1982" as that is where the ice/glacier was then.  I was there climbing in 1983 and 1984.  I would have been putting on my crampons at this site and heading up the glacier.

Nice glacier striations on the rock.

We of course have a good selection of photos but here are a smattering of our trip south. As we drove south we would be in places with green leaves on trees and others with no leaves at all yet due to elevation mostly.  The drive down through the Yukon and British Columbia is spectacular.

Tally enjoying a cold swim after the ever popular stick!

Pretty Sadie!

Christian enjoying a photography break.  Many of the lakes we went by where still frozen.

Animal Sighting List:

Wood Bison-you see these in southern Yukon northern BC and they are HUGE!
Black Bear-way to many to count we gave up
Grizzly Bear-one
Dale Sheep-several
Caribou-a handful
Elk-a few
Moose-a few
Stone Sheep-several

That is a Stone Sheep.

 

We bought this great tarp at REI and it is perfect!  Fits nicely over the back end of our 4-Runner and if needed we can get our tent opening under it to have dry cooking.

One of our many camp sites.

Relaxing in the morning sun before the day of driving starts.

Nothing like a nice tail rub!

 

Morning dew . . .

Spruce Grove Camp Ground is a nice privately owned campground in Fairmont, BC.  We bought some firewood and in the bag was kindling wrapped up in newspaper---what a nice touch!

 

At last we arrive home to Whitefish and can enjoy our break nothing like summer time true bliss!